Witnessed

Artist

Curator

Exhibition Dates

Apr 6 – May 11, 2018

Opening Reception

Fri April 06, 20187:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Gallery Hours

M–F: 10 am–5 pm; Sa&Su: by appointment

For many years, photographer Christine Germano has had the honour and permission of witnessing and documenting the sacred ceremonies of the Kwakwaka’wakw people of Alert Bay, a remote village on the northwest coast of British Columbia.

Beau Dick, Kwakwaka’wakw artist, legend, activist, and icon, who passed away in March 2017, played an integral role in the culture and traditions of his people. The photographs in this exhibition capture the various dimensions of the potlatch and highlight Dick’s mysterious and vivid presence in this enduring ceremonial tradition. Witnessed by countless individuals, the scenes documented by Germano attest to the strength and resilience of the Kwakwaka’wakw people and to Beau Dick’s brilliance, a brilliance that continues to inspire his community and those beyond.